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Branse Burbridge
| Wing Commander Branse Burbridge DSO* DFC* (deceased) Posted to 85 Squadron on night-fighters in October 1941, Branse Burbridge flew Havocs on his first tour, scoring just a single claim, but when he returned to 85 Squadron for a second tour - this time on Mosquitos, he was far more successful. His first enemy kill was in Febraury 1944 when he shot down a Messerschmitt 410 fighter plane off the Sussex coast. On the night of March 24, 1944 he became embroiled in a life-or-death dogfight with a Dornier 217 bomber over the Channel. His Mosquito chased the aircraft from 19,000ft to just 3,000ft before it crashed into the sea, with Wg Cmdr Burbridge pulling up with just 1,000ft to spare. During the period of the build up to the invasion of Normandy, and after, together with his radar navigator, Bill Skelton, They flew 30 sorties over Germany to provide escort cover to RAF bombers. His greatest achievement came on November 4, 1944 during a bombing raid over Bonn. He shot down three Junkers 88 bombers and a Me 110, firing just 200 rounds in the process. In total they claimed 21 victories in a ten month spell. In the days after D-Day, he shot down a Junkers 88 bomber on the France/Belgium border that was piloted by Major Herget, who was credited with 72 aerial victories. In June 1944 he also shot down three V-1s. With his final air victory, in January 1945, he passed the total set by John Cats Eyes Cunningham to become the highest scoring RAF night fighter Ace of the war. Following the war Wg Cmdr Burbridge studied theology at Oxford before becoming a lay preacher for the Scripture Union. He now lives in care in Chorleywood, Herts. |
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| Text for the above items : |
Ready for Action by Philip West. The de Havilland Mosquito was one of the most outstanding British built aircraft of the Second World War. It was first proposed as a fast, unarmed bomber. However, once in service it proved to be extremely versatile and was produced in great numbers in various variants, fighter, bomber, photo reconnaissance and many more. The Wooden Wonder became a true thoroughbred. |
Night Hawks by Philip West. The ever-vigilant crew of this Mosquito night-fighter successfully intercept a Luftwaffe Bf110 as it heads towards a bomber stream over target in Germany. |
Mosquitos at Dusk by Nicolas Trudgian. With their twin Merlins singing at full power, Mk FBV1 Mosquitos of 464 Squadron RAAF present a menacing picture as they set out on a precision low level mission, their streamlined, shark-like shapes silhouetted against the evening glow. Below, the tranquillity of a snow covered English coastal village is briefly disturbed as the Mosquito crews head into the night. |
Lone Hunter by Nicolas Trudgian. No text for this item |
Vital Support by Robert Taylor. Crucial to every squadron in the RAF were the unsung heroes of World War II - the ground crew. Without the vital support of these dedicated men who refuelled the aircraft, rearmed them, maintained them and kept them flying, the pilots and aircrew would, quite simply, never have got into the air. Robert Taylors drawing Vital Support shows ground crew bombing up a Mosquito of RAF Bomber Command. |
Top Dog by Robert Taylor. Completing a record 213 operational sorties with Bomber Commands Pathfinder Force, Mosquito LR503 became one of the most successful aircraft in the Royal Air Force during World War II. It flew first with 109 Pathfinder Squadron, and then 105 Pathfinder Squadron, completing more combat missions than any other Allied aircraft. |
Mosquito Coast by Stephen Brown. Seagulls take flight as the distant drone of Merlin engines starts to rise above the sound of wind and surf on their deserted beach. Overhead Mosquito B Mk IVs of 139 Squadron return low across the North Sea after a successful mission. In moments they will be gone, with only a few miles to navigate before they land at their base at Horsham St Faith in Norfolk. |
Dawn of a Legend by Stephen Brown. In what became a familiar sight over East Anglia during World War II, RAF de Havilland Mosquitoes head out at low level towards the North Sea. These aircraft are Mosquito B. Mk IVs of No 2 Group, 105 Squadron operating from Horsham St. Faith in the summer of 1942. Also known as The Wooden Wonder or Timber Terror, the Mosquito was a twin-engine aircraft with the pilot and navigator sitting side by side. Its plywood structure gave the Mosquito exceptional speed, ability and durability. |
Wings of Dawn by Philip West. The legendary, much loved and respected wooden wonder Mosquito was perhaps the best twin-engined fighter-bomber of its size to see combat action during WW11. More than 7,700 de Havilland Mosquitoes were produced and served in many versions, from fighters, night fighters, bombers, attack aircraft, trainers, reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bombers and civil transports. |
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